SPHINX AITHIOPIKOS

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THE SPHINX AITHIOPIKOS (Ethiopian Sphinx) was a half-woman, half-lion breed of animal native to Aithiopia (Ethiopia) in sub-Saharan Africa.

The creature was probably derived from ancient travellers' accounts of the African baboon. In a similar fashion the Onokentauros was likely a bastardised description of the chimpanzee.

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Pliny the Elder, Natural History 8. 72 (trans. Rackham) (Roman encyclopedia C1st A.D.) :
"Aethiopia (Ethiopia) produces Lynxes in great numbers, and Sphinxes with brown hair and a pair of udders on the breast, and many other monstrosities."